Government has developed a support system for young entrepreneurs: CM Sai
Chief Minister announces the establishment of the Center for Innovation, Trade, and Skilling in Raipur, construction of a 1000-seat co-working space, and the construction of a Box Sports Complex in each zone.
Raipur, December 11
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today inaugurated the newly constructed Innovation Center at the Inter-State Bus Stand in Bhathagaon by cutting the ribbon.
He also virtually launched the newly built co-working space at the Multi-Level Parking at Jaystambh Chowk.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of the Center for Innovation, Trade, and Skilling, the construction of a 1000-seat co-working space in Raipur district, and the construction of a Box Sports Complex in each zone of the Municipal Corporation area.
OYO founder Shri Ritesh Agarwal also spoke about investing ₹500 crore in Chhattisgarh and creating 15,000 job opportunities. In the Innovate Game Zone, Chief Minister Shri Sai and OYO founder Shri Agarwal tried their hands at table tennis.
Chief Minister Sai said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of implementing smart cities to enhance civic facilities and create new employment opportunities has been implemented successfully. Raipur has also been selected as a smart city. The state government is continuously working to enhance facilities according to the smart city framework.
Sai further mentioned that young entrepreneurs have numerous ideas for ventures in their minds. They want to start their own startups but just need a little support, after which they will surely achieve great success. The government is developing this support system for the youth. The Chief Minister praised the efforts of the district administration.
He said that for a startup, one needs an office, furniture, a good location, computers, and Wi-Fi, but the budget for all these things can be a challenge for many young entrepreneurs. The co-working and innovation center will provide them with the necessary office space. The Chief Minister explained that the startup co-working center at Jaystambh Chowk’s Multi-Level Parking was built at a cost of ₹48 lakh, and the innovation center at the Inter-State Bus Terminal was created at a cost of ₹1 crore. Here, startup entrepreneurs will get office space, private cabins, computers, furniture, a cafeteria, and an auditorium for presentations. All they will need to do is focus on their ideas.
The Chief Minister said that with the co-working center, other startup companies will also operate from the same location, creating an environment where like-minded entrepreneurs can work together, exchange ideas, and thus foster innovation in the capital. He shared that Ritesh Agarwal achieved great success at a young age. He had the idea that people wanted comfortable hotels, and at a time when the digital revolution was beginning with the rise of smartphones, he started the OYO app, which revolutionized the hospitality sector. Similarly, the talented youth of Chhattisgarh also have such ideas, and the government is committed to encouraging them. The launch of the co-working and innovation center is part of this initiative.
OYO founder Shri Ritesh Agarwal said that through the startup, they achieved great success and currently operate 22,000 hotels. With the launch of Innovate in Chhattisgarh, thousands of youth will have the opportunity to become founders. The dreams of rural youth will also come true. Shri Agarwal also mentioned that his company is planning to invest ₹500 crore in Chhattisgarh and create 15,000 jobs. He praised the state’s policies, especially the decision to recognize tourism as an industry, which will certainly encourage young entrepreneurs to start their own ventures. He expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh will become a startup state.
Agarwal was pleased to see that, unlike before when only entrepreneurs attended the launch of big companies, today in Chhattisgarh, dignitaries such as the Chief Minister and other esteemed representatives were present.